The Rising Threat of Sports Betting in Canada: A Call for Integrity and Education
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Legal sports betting in Canada is growing rapidly. This follows the country’s decision to legalize single-event betting in 2021.
The Current State of Sports Betting in Canada
It is the only province that has so far formally regulated its sports betting operators, many of whom had previously operated in the so-called grey zone. This regulation has not only legitimized these operators but has also allowed for a more accurate quantification of the scale of sports betting in the province.
This exponential growth has led to an increased demand for reliable information and trustworthy platforms among casino and sports betting enthusiasts. To cater to this need, websites like BestCasinoSites.net have emerged as valuable resources, providing comprehensive reviews of various online casinos and sportsbooks.
The Potential Risks and Consequences
Unfortunately, legal sports betting came at the cost of sports integrity. Earlier this year, the NFL suspended five of its players for participating in illegal betting. Three of the players, C.J. Moore, Shaka Toney, and Quintez Cephus, will be suspended for the entirety of the 2023 season.
Both Cephus and Moore have since been released by the Detroit Lions. The two remaining players - Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill - will miss the first six games of the upcoming season.
Efforts to Protect Sports Integrity
The CCES is working with different National Sport Organizations (NSOs) to identify and educate vulnerable athletes on the need to keep sports integrity intact. The NSO also trains Olympic athletes, which is why Luke's team at CCES has been in contact with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) to help protect athletes.